Chapter 58: The Banquet

Chapter 58: The Banquet

Cang Cheng retrieved the original host's unpleasant memories and learned that the third prince was the mastermind behind the bullying and isolation he had endured.

Being pushed into the water in winter, locked in a warehouse for a day and night, and beaten in hidden spots where no cameras could see…

All of these were orchestrated by Cang Junting.

Cang Cheng frowned.

"Third brother, you're really stretching it," Cang Cheng replied.

Cang Junting's eyes were filled with malice. "I didn’t expect that even after leaving the main planet, my brother would still use your face to manipulate others. You and your worthless mother are just the same. A dog will always return to its vomit..."

Cang Junting had always resented Cang Cheng because his charming looks won people over effortlessly, while no amount of effort on his part could earn him the same affection.

Now, seeing Cang Cheng attract so much attention at the banquet without lifting a finger, Cang Junting felt an even deeper jealousy.

What was Cang Cheng, anyway? Born into a lowly position, an unawakened nobody—why did he get so much attention?

Why didn’t he just stay dead on Luo Ri?

"So this is the fifth prince..."

"I heard he's just an ordinary person, what a waste of his looks."

"Didn't the third prince say that the fifth prince seems to rely on his appearance? For a prince to fall to such a state, it's truly shameful."

"It's a pity that the third prince still cares about the fifth prince, yet the fifth prince is so unambitious."

...

Due to the third prince's approach, many people started paying attention to this area.

Upon hearing the conversation between the two princes, those who had previously intended to talk to Cang Cheng now showed looks of disdain.

Typical. The famous pretty but useless prince.

His face was the only thing worth looking at.

Cang Junting, as an Awakened, felt a twisted satisfaction from the gossip swirling around him.

Cang Cheng would never receive any attention and would never be able to turn the tables.

He was destined to stay in a dark corner.

Cang Cheng barely held back the urge to slice Cang Junting to pieces with a Blade of Wind.

He had never been one to swallow his anger.

With a flick of his wrist, he splashed the red wine into Cang Junting’s face.

The sparse red liquid dripped down the other's cheeks, turning his light golden ceremonial robe into a red ink painting.

Cang Junting was incredulous.

He wiped his face with his palm, seemingly confirming the reality of what had just happened.

The Cang Cheng who used to endure his bullying without resistance, why did he suddenly do this to me?

Cang Junting's eyes darkened with venomous intensity.

He was about to question Cang Cheng, but Cang Cheng got the upper hand first.

"Brother, is this how you see me? But I still love you, brother. I was so happy thinking that I would get to see you at today's banquet. But brother, you... you actually..."

Cang Cheng said with a aggrieved tone, his voice choked with sobs. In the end, he couldn't even finish a complete sentence.

Long black lashes carried glistening droplets of water, trembling with each blink. The droplets rolled down to the tear-shaped birthmark above Cang Cheng's right eye, then trickled down his face, heartbreakingly endearing.

"Brother, don't you want to acknowledge me as your brother? Don't you want to protect me?"

As he spoke, Cang Cheng lowered his head, a picture of heartbreak.

Unseen by others, his black eyes were clear, and the corners of his eyes held a faint, almost imperceptible smile.

Trying to humiliate him in public?

Not in this lifetime!

Come to think of it, these tears enhanced by Water Runes are really quite useful.

"This third prince really has no brotherly love."

"I was almost misled by the third prince. Now that I think about it, the fifth prince is really kind of pitiful. He hasn't done anything wrong, he's just not awakened, and that's why he's looked down upon..."

"Someone as good-looking as the fifth prince, if he weren’t born into the royal family, he’d be cherished and pampered."

"Rumors have long circulated that the third prince is moody and jealous. Now it seems... these rumors aren't unfounded..."

...

Listening to the comments about him from those around, Cang Junting was trembling with anger, his eyes wide with fury.

He never expected that after just a few months on Luo Ri Xing, Cang Cheng would grow so bold as to challenge him openly.

Consumed by rage, he raised his hand, ready to teach Cang Cheng a lesson.

But in the next moment, his wrist was grabbed from behind.

Cang Junting was about to explode on the spot, but a quick glance at the person behind him made him instinctively flinch, though he quickly became arrogant again.

"So, big brother is planning to openly favor the fifth brother?"

The person who came was the first prince of the Canglan Star Region, the recognized next heir to the throne.

The first prince, Cang Mu, was tall, with a shimmering golden mane that gave off a sense of flamboyance. However, Cang Mu was a gentle and courteous man, quite different from the impression his appearance gave.

Cang Mu's face darkened. "Is this how your etiquette teacher taught you? Spreading rumors in public, fighting with your own kin, and resorting to violence at the slightest disagreement.

Cang Junting, I am very disappointed in you."

Cang Junting looked disdainful. "If you’re disappointed, so be it. You’re not my keeper. But big brother, are you so biased towards fifth brother because... you and Cang Cheng have a..."

"Enough."

Cang Mu's voice was sharp, his expression cold.

A person who is usually calm can become terrifying when angry.

"The third prince's clothes are dirty. Someone, take him to change."

At once, a group of guards escorted Cang Junting out of the banquet hall.

Afterward, Cang Mu apologized to the guests, explaining that there had been a minor disagreement between his younger brothers.

The others offered polite reassurances, saying, "No worries, this is a family matter. You know best how to handle it, Prince."

Cang Mu smiled and smoothed things over with the onlookers, then turned to Cang Cheng.

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize Junting had such strong feelings against you."

Cang Cheng kept his head lowered and remained silent, as if his heart had been wounded.

"Your clothes were also stained with wine. Please go change in the guest room."

Cang Cheng nodded.

The first prince led Cang Cheng to the guest room and then left.

Inside, a deep blue tailored suit adorned with sparkling diamonds had already been prepared.

However, the suit was a bit too large and didn’t fit perfectly. Cang Cheng guessed they were likely the first prince’s unused clothes from the past.

Today, the first prince had stood up for Cang Cheng and scolded Cang Junting, and even prepared clothes for him, appearing very thoughtful and in line with his gentle and elegant image.

But...

"He didn’t seem to care about Cang Cheng in the past, but now he’s suddenly trying to mend their relationship."

Cang Cheng's pure black eyes were cold, not moved by the first prince's actions.

"It seems this summit won’t be peaceful."

After changing, Cang Cheng made a brief appearance in the banquet hall. Those who had been indifferent earlier now nodded or greeted him politely.

It seemed the incident had elevated Cang Cheng’s status a bit.

At least Cang Cheng wasn’t as neglected as the rumors made it seem; the first prince still had some brotherly affection for him.

Pretending to be surprised, Cang Cheng politely interacted with wave after wave of people, but feeling dizzy, he found a moment to slip out to the small garden behind the hall for some fresh air.

Moonlight bathed Cang Cheng in a soft, silvery glow, while the vibrant red roses in the background added a touch of allure to the scene.

His vision blurred, and the dizziness worsened, accompanied by a growing warmth spreading through him.

It was clear that Cang Cheng had been drugged.

When and by whom, though, remained a mystery.

His black eyes held coldness, but a flush on his cheeks added a faint pink to the chill.

"Cang Cheng, we meet again. Why are you here alone, catching some air?"

Mù Jiāyuè’s tone was playful, his gaze locked intensely on Cang Cheng.

His eyes were fixed on Cang Cheng, his throat bobbing as he swallowed repeatedly.

The loose, oversized suit hung off Cang Cheng's frame, making him look even more slender, almost fragile. The dark color of the suit also made his skin appear even fairer, as if a light touch would leave a mark.

At this moment, Cang Cheng's pure black eyes were hazy and glistening due to losing focus, and the sweat on his forehead made him shimmer under the moonlight, like a gem beneath the water's surface.

Soon, Cang Cheng would belong to him, Mu Jiayue.

"Apologies, I'm feeling a bit unwell. Please let me be for a moment."

Cang Cheng's voice was icy, sensing the malice in Mu Jiayue's gaze.

"Oh? The prince is feeling unwell? How inconvenient. How about I escort you to the rest room?"

"No need."

"It's not up to you, Prince. I'm just concerned about your well-being..."

Saying so, Mu Jiayue made a move as if to embrace Cang Cheng.

It was common knowledge that Cang Cheng was a prince with no power or influence, an ordinary person unable to awaken. Now, drugged and weakened, it would be an easy task for Mu Jiayue, an Awakened, to do as he pleased.

As for the first prince who had just come to Cang Cheng's defense, he was merely putting on a show. He didn't truly care about Cang Cheng.

Mu Jiayue could already imagine how much pleasure the next few minutes would bring him.

However, suddenly, the wind picked up.

The evening breeze came unexpectedly, and Mu Jiayue didn't react in time.

By the time he realized, both his wrists had been cleanly severed, the cuts neat, and blood flowed freely.

C-grade Wind Spirit Runes—Blade of Wind.

Mu Jiayue opened his mouth, trying to scream.

But before he could utter a sound, water surged into his mouth, preventing even a single syllable from escaping.

Invisible water enveloped Mu Jiayue, leaving him unable to breathe, speak, or move—completely at the mercy of others.

C-grade Water Spirit Runes—water prison.

Now at A-grade, Cang Cheng could effortlessly summon C-grade Blade of Wind and water prison in an instant.

Cang Cheng's gaze was cold, and under the moonlight, his pure black eyes were utterly void of emotion. He looked at Mu Jiayue as if he were mere air.

Mu Jiayue gurgled helplessly, choking on the water that filled his mouth.

His eyes widened like copper bells, silently asking, "How could you possibly be an Awakened?"

Even someone as foolish as Mu Jiayue, with only the two of them present, could deduce that it was Cang Cheng who had unleashed the Blade of Wind and the water prison.

How could this be?

In the Canglan Star Region, everyone knew the fifth prince was powerless. How could he possibly be such a powerful Spirit Rune Master?

How could this be?

Mù Jiāyuè deeply regretted losing his judgment and thinking he could take advantage of Cang Cheng.

He should have anticipated this. Among the five princes of the Canglan Star Region, only three remained. How could the surviving fifth prince have no backing at all?

Please, spare me.

I made a mistake.

Mù Jiāyuè begged silently with his eyes.

However, Cang Cheng didn’t even look at him. He simply waved his hand, and after that, Mù Xīng, wearing a mask, walked to Cang Cheng's side and handed him a vial of all-purpose antidote.

When Mù Xīng had discovered that Cang Cheng was drugged, he had immediately prepared the antidote.

Cang Cheng drank the medicine, and within just 5 seconds, the discomfort in his body subsided.

Mù Xīng’s creations were always reliable.

"He's yours to deal with."

"Thank you for your generosity, sir."

They thanked him, but both Cang Cheng and Mù Xīng, who weren’t particularly strong, were now wondering how to quietly move the large water ball to the villa.

Hmm... use Wind Wing runes? That would be caught on camera, right?

Or just cut it into pieces... easier to transport that way.

Teleportation? But his spatial magic could only teleport him 10 meters.

This was a real dilemma.

Just as the two were lost in thought, a calm voice broke the silence.

"Need some help?"

The man was tall, dressed in a sharp military uniform, with a row of medals on his chest.

Even just standing there, he exuded an inexplicable sense of pressure.

His silver hair fell before him, contrasting with the cold moonlight.

His blue eyes were as clear as ice, and perhaps because of the moonlight, the usually cold gaze seemed to soften slightly.

Cang Cheng was slightly surprised.

Admiral Xilimos, what was he doing here?